Spanning truss for hanging a load

ABSTRACT

A spanning truss for hanging a load has an elongated beam frame including two sides, each having an elongated top chord and an elongated bottom chord connected by a plurality of diagonal web members, and wherein the two sides are connected between respective top chords by a plurality of straight web members and a plurality of X-shaped braces connected between respective top chords and bottom chords. At least one of the plurality of X-shaped braces includes a central doughnut shaped connector member adapted to secure a central pipe therethrough, an elongated central pipe extending the length of the beam frame and attached to each of the plurality of X-shaped braces and extending through and secured to the at least one central doughnut shaped connector member of the at least one X-shaped brace, and at least one attachment bracket having a proximal end that is removably attached to the at least one central doughnut shaped connector member, wherein the attachment bracket is elongated and extends in a direction opposite from a side of the beam frame that includes the straight web members, and wherein the attachment bracket has a distal end that is adapted to releasably hold a load thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to staging equipment but more particularly to a spanning truss for hanging a load.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Staging equipment for use in concerts and other show business events have been around for decades. They offer the advantage of providing quick and easy set up and dismantling and are extremely versatile and adaptable by combining a variety of shapes and sizes. The secret to the versatility is in the regular addition of special modules, so there is always a need for something new to adapt to the changing demands of the live concert industry. In recent years, large LED screens have become quite popular and they are sometimes suspended from staging trusses. The problem is that the weight makes the span buckle which makes the screen off level and crooked.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices now present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and advantages which are:

To provide for a spanning truss for hanging a load such as a giant LED screen, for example.

In order to do so, the invention comprises an elongated beam frame including two sides, each having an elongated top chord and an elongated bottom chord connected by a plurality of diagonal web members, and wherein the two sides are connected between respective top chords by a plurality of straight web members and a plurality of X-shaped braces connected between respective top chords and bottom chords. At least one of the plurality of X-shaped braces includes a central doughnut shaped connector member adapted to secure a central pipe therethrough, an elongated central pipe extending the length of the beam frame and attached to each of the plurality of X-shaped braces and extending through and secured to the at least one central doughnut shaped connector member of the at least one X-shaped brace, and at least one attachment bracket having a proximal end that is removably attached to the at least one central doughnut shaped connector member, wherein the attachment bracket is elongated and extends in a direction opposite from a side of the beam frame that includes the straight web members, and wherein the attachment bracket has a distal end that is adapted to releasably hold a load thereto.

The beam frame has a square cross section along its elongated length.

The two sides has two opposite ends, wherein each opposite ends has a male connector on one of the top chord and bottom chord, and wherein each opposite ends has a female connector on one of the top chord and bottom chord, such that the spanning truss is adapted to releasably connect end-to-end to an adjacent spanning truss.

One of the plurality of X-shaped braces is located at one end of the beam frame and is connected directly to the central pipe, and one of the plurality of X-shaped braces is located at an opposite end of the beam frame and is connected directly to the central pipe.

The at least one attachment bracket includes a connector member on a distal end thereof that is adapted to releasably attach a load thereto.

The attachment bracket and the connector member together are formed as a turnbuckle.

The turnbuckle is adjustable in length and thereby capable of micro adjustments lengthwise.

There are at least two X-shaped braces each having a central doughnut shaped connector member thereon for the central pipe to pass and attach thereto.

A plurality of spanning trusses can be connected together in an end-to-end fashion.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Isometric view of the invention.

FIG. 2 Side view.

FIG. 3 Top view.

FIG. 4 Front view.

FIG. 5 Front view showing a plurality of spanning trusses connected together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A spanning truss (10) for hanging a load consists in a square (or box) beam frame (12) having a central pipe (14) running inside and along the length of the frame (12). A plurality of “X” braces (16) secures the pipe (14) in place.

The frame (12) has two sides (20) wherein each side (20) consists of a top chord (19) and a bottom chord (21) connected by way of diagonal web members (18). The two sides (20) are connected between their respective top chords (19) by way of straight web members (22) as well as by the plurality of “X” braces (16).

Each side (20) has two opposite ends having connector members (26, 26′) extending therefrom.

The central pipe (14) has a plurality of doughnut members (28) that are circumferentially attached thereto. Attachment brackets (30) pass through the doughnut members (28) and through the central pipe (14) to be securedly fastened thereto. The doughnut member (28) is also where strut members (32) forming part of the “X” braces (16) are connected.

Each of the attachment bracket (30) has a proximal end fastened onto the doughnut member (28) as described hereinabove and a distal end terminated by a male or female connector member (26, 26′) extending therefrom. A load can be connected onto any of the connector members (26, 26′) of the plurality of attachment brackets (30).

At both ends of the frame (12), the “X” braces (16) connect directly to the central pipe (14) without the need for the donut member (28).

The attachment brackets (30) are fashioned like turnbuckles, that means they are capable of micro adjustments lengthwise. This is very important when a heavy load is used and the frame may bend downwardly. This is also the case when the span is very long.

To keep the load perfectly level, it is important that micro adjustments be made by screwing the attachment bracket in or out.

In use, one or more frames (12) can be connected together to form a spanning truss (10) which is connected to other compatible components in order to form a structure. A load equipped with connector members (26, 26′) is attached to the compatible connector member (26′,26) located on the attachment brackets (30).

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. A spanning truss for hanging loads comprising an elongated beam frame including two sides each having an elongated top chord and an elongated bottom chord connected by a plurality of diagonal web members, and wherein said two sides are connected between respective top chords by a plurality of straight web members and a plurality of X-shaped braces connected between respective top chords and bottom chords; at least one of said plurality of X-shaped braces includes a central doughnut shaped connector member adapted to secure a central pipe therethrough; an elongated central pipe extending the length of said beam frame and attached to each of said plurality of X-shaped braces and extending through and secured to said at least one central doughnut shaped connector member of said at least one X-shaped brace; and at least one attachment bracket having a proximal end that is removably attached to said at least one central doughnut shaped connector member, wherein said attachment bracket is elongated and extends in a direction opposite from a side of said beam frame that includes said straight web members, and wherein said attachment bracket has a distal end that is adapted to releasably hold a load thereto.
 2. The spanning truss of claim 1, wherein said beam frame has a square cross section along its elongated length.
 3. The spanning truss of claim 1, wherein each of said two sides has two opposite ends, wherein each opposite ends has a male connector on one of said top chord and bottom chord, and wherein each opposite ends has a female connector on one of said top chord and bottom chord, such that said spanning truss is adapted to releasably connect end-to-end to an adjacent spanning truss.
 4. The spanning truss of claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of X-shaped braces is located at one end of said beam frame and is connected directly to said central pipe; and one of said plurality of X-shaped braces is located at an opposite end of said beam frame and is connected directly to said central pipe.
 5. The spanning truss of claim 1, wherein said at least one attachment bracket includes a connector member on a distal end thereof that is adapted to releasably attach a load thereto.
 6. The spanning truss of claim 5, wherein said attachment bracket and said connector member together are formed as a turnbuckle.
 7. The spanning truss of claim 6, wherein said turnbuckle is adjustable in length and thereby capable of micro adjustments lengthwise.
 8. The spanning truss of claim 1, wherein there are at least two X-shaped braces each having a central doughnut shaped connector member thereon for said central pipe to pass and attach thereto.
 9. A truss structure for hanging loads comprising a plurality of spanning trusses connected together in an end-to-end fashion; wherein each said spanning truss comprises an elongated beam frame including two sides each having an elongated top chord and an elongated bottom chord connected by a plurality of diagonal web members, and wherein said two sides are connected between respective top chords by a plurality of straight web members and a plurality of X-shaped braces connected between respective top chords and bottom chords; at least one of said plurality of X-shaped braces includes a central doughnut shaped connector member adapted to secure a central pipe therethrough; an elongated central pipe extending the length of said beam frame and attached to each of said plurality of X-shaped braces and extending through and secured to said at least one central doughnut shaped connector member of said at least one X-shaped brace; and at least one attachment bracket having a proximal end that is removably attached to said at least one central doughnut shaped connector member, wherein said attachment bracket is elongated and extends in a direction opposite from a side of said beam frame that includes said straight web members, and wherein said attachment bracket has a distal end that is adapted to releasably hold a load thereto; and wherein each of said two sides has two opposite ends, wherein each opposite ends has a male connector on one of said top chord and bottom chord, and wherein each opposite ends has a female connector on one of said top chord and bottom chord, such that each said spanning truss is adapted to releasably connect end-to-end to adjacent spanning trusses to form said truss structure.
 10. The truss structure of claim 9, wherein each said beam frame has a square cross section along its elongated length.
 11. The truss structure of claim 9, wherein one of said plurality of X-shaped braces is located at one end of said beam frame and is connected directly to said central pipe; and one of said plurality of X-shaped braces is located at an opposite end of said beam frame and is connected directly to said central pipe.
 12. The truss structure of claim 9, wherein said at least one attachment bracket includes a connector member on a distal end thereof that is adapted to releasably attach a load thereto.
 13. The truss structure of claim 12, wherein said attachment bracket and said connector member together are formed as a turnbuckle.
 14. The truss structure of claim 13, wherein said turnbuckle is adjustable in length and thereby capable of micro adjustments lengthwise.
 15. The truss structure of claim 9, wherein there are at least two X-shaped braces each having a central doughnut shaped connector member thereon for said central pipe to pass and attach thereto. 